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Iwanami Series in Modern Mathematics
Generalized Cohomology
Akira Kono, Kyoto University, Japan, and Dai Tamaki, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
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Translations of Mathematical Monographs
Iwanami Series in Modern Mathematics
2006; 254 pp; softcover
Volume: 230
ISBN-10: 0-8218-3514-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8218-3514-2
List Price: US$50 Member Price: US$40
Order Code: MMONO/230

In the 1950s, Eilenberg and Steenrod presented their famous characterization of homology theory by seven axioms. Somewhat later, it was found that keeping just the first six of these axioms (all except the condition on the "homology" of the point), one can obtain many other interesting systems of algebraic invariants of topological manifolds, such as $$K$$-theory, cobordisms, and others. These theories come under the common name of generalized homology (or cohomology) theories.

The purpose of the book is to give an exposition of generalized (co)homology theories that can be read by a wide group of mathematicians who are not experts in algebraic topology. It starts with basic notions of homotopy theory and then introduces the axioms of generalized (co)homology theory. Then the authors discuss various types of generalized cohomology theories, such as complex-oriented cohomology theories and Chern classes, $$K$$-theory, complex cobordisms, and formal group laws. A separate chapter is devoted to spectral sequences and their use in generalized cohomology theories.

The book is intended to serve as an introduction to the subject for mathematicians who do not have advanced knowledge of algebraic topology. Prerequisites include standard graduate courses in algebra and topology, with some knowledge of ordinary homology theory and homotopy theory.

"The book is a successful guide because it provides a smooth path from basics into the deeper parts of complex $$K$$-theory and complex cobordism theory. It supplies details for some crucial theorems and directs the reader to excellent treatments of quoted material. ...the book provides students and other newcomers with the language needed to converse with an expert."